Planning a trip to Makkah or Madinah and wondering if you must visit the Saudi embassy London? You are not alone. At Al Islam Travels, a London-based Hajj and Umrah company, we hear this question from UK pilgrims every week.
Many people find the short answer surprising. Most travellers never set foot indoors, because the Saudi Arabia visa now starts online. If you possess a British passport, the process is easier than you might think. All the same, the building matters for some services, and it is easy to get its address and hours wrong. In the event we’ve checked the pages of GOV.UK and the embassy in November 2026, so the information below is up to date.
In this article, we look at the state of the exchange, what it covers, and what online routes work for British passport holders. Next, turn to the Umrah visas then what influences your costs and how to choose good help. This was written for UK families who are looking for clear answers. Shall we Begin with the basics?
What the Mayfair building handles and what moves online
People often expect to see a long queue outside a heavily decorated building. In reality, the embassy is engaged in diplomatic work. Search for Saudi embassy Charles Street Mayfair, and you get the same address from every source: 30 Charles Street London W1J 5DZ. The primary contact number is 020 7917 3000. The closest tube stop to the Saudi embassy London is Green Park station. Crewe House, a Georgian mansion from 1730, is a Grade II* listed building. The Saudi embassy is not far from the Berkeley Square, close to Green Park station.
What are some of the activities of the embassy? Saudi consular services here assist Saudi citizens in the UK along with document requests. However, for most British travellers, the visa route goes through official online portals not the front desk.
Opening hours matter before you go. Saudi embassy opening hours in London run from 9am to 4pm, Monday to Thursday, and until 3pm on Friday, according to the official embassy page. It closes on Saturday and Sunday, and Ramadan hours shift to 10am to 3pm. UK and Saudi public holidays close it too, and the consular section keeps its own hours, so call first.
Since November 2023, UK applicants for most non-employment Saudi visas will be required to attend the Tasheer Saudi visa centre in London in person. According to Fragomen immigration experts, approval from a Saudi consular post is final. A trip to Charles Street is rarely your first port of call.
Saudi Arabia visa options for UK travellers
British citizens cannot just book a flight and go. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) says you must get a visa for Saudi Arabia, and the type depends on why you travel and how long you stay. Each route below works online, so you can apply from home.
There are 3 online routes, which makes a trip easy. e-Visa for India is suitable for holidays and family visits. The ETA provides clearance for non-Hajj-related tourism, business, learning, medical, and Umrah activities. The Saudi waiver of visa permits a single entry for similar reasons.
Why is this significant for an Umrah visa? Same routs are used for Hajj outside the Hajj season. The visa for Hajj is separate and you can only book a place via the Nusuk Hajj official platform.
This table provides a side-by-side comparison of the four Saudi entry routes.
| Route | Where you apply | Best for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist e-visa | visa.visitsaudi.com or at a Saudi airport | Holidays, family visits, Umrah outside Hajj | 90 days in total across 365 days; health insurance included |
| Electronic travel authorisation (ETA) | ksavisa.sa | Tourism, business, study, medical care, Umrah outside Hajj | Valid 730 days, 180 days in total; no health insurance |
| Electronic visa waiver | visa.mofa.gov.sa, 48 hours to 90 days before your flight | Single trips, Umrah outside Hajj | One entry, up to 180 days; flight details needed; no health insurance |
| Hajj visa | Nusuk Hajj platform | Hajj pilgrims | Separate visa; cannot be extended |
Make sure to check the official portal for your route before paying as rules may change. As of October 2026, the FCDO website continues to advise any traveller who feels unsure to contact the Saudi embassy in the UK.
Consider how you get to places. Your Saudi Arabia visa may permit entry by air only. So consult the authorities before crossing the Bahrain causeway. If you have a separate ticket and your connecting flights overlap by more than 12 hours, you may need a transit visa.
How a Saudi visa waiver or e-visa application works
Applying for an e-visa or a waiver follows one short path. Work through these steps in order:
- Check that your passport has at least six months left from the day you arrive.
- Pick the route that fits your trip, using the table above.
- Apply on that route’s official portal, and keep every confirmation email.
- Book your meningitis ACWY vaccine, because the certificate must be valid 10 days before you arrive.
- Check the Nusuk app for any Umrah permit steps before you fly.
- Save your visa, passport and flight details on your phone and on paper.
Here’s an authentic illustration. A Birmingham family of five books flights in January. (10 words) People apply for the e-visas online and then book the vaccines in a travel clinic. Subsequently, they notice that one passport only has five months left. They renew it in time as they check it early. Individuals need not stand in line at the Saudi embassy London, thanks to the step-by-step handling of the online portal and passport office.
Timing matters because of demand. Oversea pilgrims and Umra performers includes 19.5 million guests in 2025, according to Saudi Arabia’s Guests of God Service Programme, of which 18.03 million is for Umra. Families often hand the paperwork over to a local provider. Packages offered by companies like Al Islam Travels, East Ham, provide visa support with the Umrah packages, so the families don’t juggle several portals on their own.
Cost factors behind a Saudi visa on arrival
The e-visa for the airport is colloquially a Saudi visa on arrival for UK citizens. You can apply for the airport assistance after you arrive at the airport. However, if you do this before your trip, it will save you time at the airport desk.
The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT, 2025) revealed that as many as 87.3% of international Umrah performers arrived through airports in the last quarter of 2025. That’s a lot of arrivals. So having your visa in your inbox before you fly reduces one queue.
Fees, cover and health checks
Every type of visa for Saudi has different fees. Be sure to check the current fee on the official portal before you pay, which varies.
The cover is also different. Although the e-visa covers health insurance for your stay, you will not be covered with an ETA or with the waiver, so be sure to ask whether you need extra travel insurance. According to the Umrah visa UK rules, pilgrims must have a meningitis ACWY certificate, budget for a clinic visit at least ten days before flying.
Package choices that move the total
Your selection of hotel affects the outcome most. A room next to the Haram is usually more expensive than a shuttle room and additional nights in Makkah will incur extra charges. The type of Saudi visa route you take matters here as well because a longer stay requires the correct entry type.
Factors such as flights, transfers, group size, and ziyarah tours also matter. Packages are usually 7 to 14 days so check your visa dates above all night. Request a written itemization of the package’s contents and verify that visa support is included.
Choosing help with your Umrah visa UK application
Is it necessary to engage an agent? You can fill it online yourself. Many pilgrims still prefer a single team for their visas, flights, hotels and transfers because a single misstep can cost days. If you are looking for Umrah visa UK help, check these points first.
- ATOL protection: the FCDO tells pilgrims to confirm that their Umrah travel agent is ATOL protected, so look up the ATOL number on the Civil Aviation Authority website.
- Written terms: get every date and inclusion confirmed in writing.
- Safe payment: use a credit card where possible and keep every receipt.
- A real office: look for a London address and a phone line that someone answers.
The warning is genuine. According to the FCDO, criminals based in the UK are trying to con people who are planning to go for the Hajj or Umrah. Meanwhile, many of the victims are over the age of 65. For example, a fake agent can charge you for the selling of an Umrah visa that will never arrive.
Those with experience have an edge here. Al Islam Travels works on everything from pilgrim visa and vaccine paperwork to Nusuk steps each and every season. Only now and then does a general agent handle that paperwork. The disparity becomes apparent when a passport has an early expiration or a permit step modification.
You should ask each supplier how to apply Umrah visa from UK in simple English and compare their answers. How involved are they in the process? Who will answer your calls? What if plans change?
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Saudi embassy in London?
Located at 30 Charles Street, Mayfair, London W1J 5DZ. Its headquarters is Crewe House, a Georgian townhouse located close to Berkeley Square. Most visitors arrive by Tube; Green Park is the closest Underground station. If you’re going to travel you can call the main line – 020 7917 3000.
Do I need to make an appointment for Saudi embassy London services?
Not for the web tour. The tourist e-visa, travel authorization, and waiver do not require an embassy visit. Many non-employment visa applications are referred to the Tasheer centre in London and other services generally require advance booking. Please call 020 7917 3000 before you travel as access cannot be guaranteed.
Is the Saudi embassy in London open?
The embassy operates from Monday to Thursday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., and at 3 p.m. on Fridays. On Saturdays and Sundays, it is closed. In Ramadan, it operates between 10 am and 3 pm. Both nations also close for public holidays. The consular section has different hours, so call first.
What area is the Saudi embassy in London?
It is located in Mayfair, the City of Westminster, London, under postcode W1J. Surrounding the property are Berkeley Square, Curzon Street and Green Park, with Hyde Park to the west. The area is home to numerous hotels, embassies and private clubs; taking the Tube is easier than driving.
What happened at the Saudi embassy in London yesterday?
At the time of writing, we found no verified report of an incident at the embassy. Metropolitan Police, the embassy’s official social media, and established news outlets report only confirmed news as the situation changes daily. It is better not to share unverified posts that get location/date wrong.
Conclusion
The Saudi embassy is located in Mayfair, but many British travellers apply for a Saudi visa online, which is a travel authorisation or waiver. Verify your passport, vaccine certificate and permits in advance. If your case looks out of the box, call the embassy before traveling as the staff know the rules.
It’s simple to take the next step. Please note down your travel dates, group size and desired distance from your hotel. Therefore, contact Al Islam Travels for a quote for an Umrah package with visa support. We can walk you through each step in simple English, respond to your queries regarding licenses and vaccinations, and facilitate the London portion of your journey. All your vaccination records, passport and visa should be in a folder. Verify official sources for any changes in rules and take your time.
